Ancient Murrelet
Synthliboramphus antiquus
The Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) is a uncommon auks, puffins, and murr found in 13 countries, weighing about 218 g. The ancient murrelet is a bird in the auk family.
About the Ancient Murrelet
The ancient murrelet is a bird in the auk family. The English term "murrelet" is a diminutive of "murre", a word of uncertain origins, but which may imitate the call of the common guillemot. Ancient murrelets are called "ancient" because they have grey on the back like a shawl, as worn by the elderly.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This small auk species is black on the head, throat and rear neck, grey-backed, and has white underparts. The yellow bill is short and stubby. It has a small rounded black tail. The summer adults have white head streaks giving an aged look and leading to the English name. Other plumages are similar, but lack the crown streaks and black on the throat. Ancient murrelets tend to bank from side to side in flight to a greater extent than other small auks. They fly with fast wing beats due to their short wings. Measurements: Length: 7.9–9.4 in (20–24 cm) Weight: 5.4–8.8 oz (150–250 g) Wingspan: 17.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United Kingdom, Mexico, Finland.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, May, June, July, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Ancient Murrelet?
- This small auk species is black on the head, throat and rear neck, grey-backed, and has white underparts. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Ancient Murrelet?
- The Ancient Murrelet is a medium sized bird weighing about 218 g.
- Where can you see an Ancient Murrelet?
- The Ancient Murrelet occurs in 13 countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea and Russia.
- What birds look similar to an Ancient Murrelet?
- The Ancient Murrelet is most easily confused with the Scripps's Murrelet, the Craveri's Murrelet and the Guadalupe Murrelet.
- Is the Ancient Murrelet endangered?
- The Ancient Murrelet is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Ancient Murrelet for real
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